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Der Henker is yet another stranger that landed in my mailbox, along with a batch of promos from Russian label Haarbn Productions. This is a one man band, but five guest musicians were also involved with this recording.

The genocidal cover art, including the perpetration of mass massacres done by religions, in this case portrayed by two monks, paints a quite sinister décor. This can also be witnessed on the disc. "Annihilation in Blasphemy" is a delicious work of Black Metal arts showing a certain progressive attitude. The ambiance is not only dark and cold, as it should be, but also haunted and epic. Not always set to blast beats, even if often in the fast lane, but more varied, to my greatest pleasure. This pace goes even to the other slow and bone crushing extreme, such as on the awesome composition called "The End..." Keyboards, samplings and classical piano parts are bringing a melodic touch to the harsher music, but the Black Metal side is very well produced.

Only good musicianship and wicked vocals are offered on this one, while some numbers are really worth mentioning, such as "Shapeless Abyssal Void" and "The Realm of Ice and Suicide." "Annihilation in Blasphemy" is a good shot of intelligent Black Metal arts.